Inhalation device with rupturable microscopic capsules

ABSTRACT

AN INHALATION DEVICE UTILIZING A DEFORMABLE TUBE CONTAINING ABSORBENT PAPER WHICH CARRIES MICROENCAPSULATED TREATMENT MATERIAL TO BE INHALED. BY SQUEEZING THE DEFORMABLE TUBE THE MICROCAPSULES RUPTURE AND THE TREATMENT MATERIAL CAN BE BREATHED TO FRESHEN THE BREATH OR THE MEDICINAL PURPOSES.

United States Patent Inventor John Gene Flack 6914 Halyard, Birmingham, Mich. 48010 Appl. No. 835,162

Filed June 20, 1969 Patented June 28, 1971 INHALATION DEVICE WITH RUP'IURABLE MICROSCOPIC CAPSULES 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

Int. Cl A6lm 15/08 Field of Search 128/201,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Fonda Avpin Soloway Zuber lrby Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-G, F. Dunne Attorney-Settle, Batchelder and Oltman 128/200 128/200 167/83 131/101 131/l0.l(X)

ABSTRACT: An inhalation device utilizing a deformable tube containing absorbent paper which carries microencapsulated treatment material to be inhaled. By squeezing the deformable tube the microcapsules rupture and the treatment material can be breathed to freshen the breath or for medicinal purposes.

PATENTEDJUN28IQH JOHN G. FLACK.

SETTLE, BATCHELDER 8 OLTMAN.

ATT 'YS.

INHALATION DEVICE WITH RUPTURABLE MICROSCOPIC CAPSULES This invention relates to improvements in inhalation devices.

For various reasons, e.g.; to freshen breath or for medicinal purposes, one may be required to chew candy mints or gum or resort to some complicated inhalation apparatus. With the complicated inhalation device carrying it around as well as using it often is a problem. The candy mints are objectionable because of their caloric value and the chewing gum may be offensive to others and of course there is always a disposal problem.

Accordingly, contemplated by this invention is a new and different inhalation device that is easily carried on ones person that can provide medicines or the like which can be taken in liquid or vapor form by inhalation.

Further contemplated is a unique inhalation device that is tubular in shape and that can be manually squeezed and then its contents breathed.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a novel inhalation device of cylindrical deformable configuration which is filled with absorbent paper carrying microencapsulated material that can be drawn into the mouth whenever the exterior of the cylindrical body is squeezed to rupture the microcapsules.

The foregoing and other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description and from theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inhalation device incorporating the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 and 3 are perspective views of modified inhalation devices; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of one of the microcapsules utilized in the inhalation devices.

Referring first to FIG. I, the numeral denotes a tubular elongated body for the treatment device. The body 10 is formed of a paperlike or plasticlike material and is, by way of example only, approximately 3 or 4 inches long and 1 inch in circumference. Within the body 10 and extending its entire length is absorbent paper 12 folded so as to present a pleated configuration as illustrated with outer passages 17 and a center passage 18. On the surface adjacent the interior of the body 10 the paper 12 is coated with a series of microcapsules 14 as seen in FIG. 4. Each of these microcapsules I4 encloses within its center, some kind of material 16 in liquid or vapor form, which is to be inhaled or drawn into the mouth.

The encapsulation technique for making the microcapsules 14 is well known as is the technique of coating paper with the microcapsules and is described in the Green et al. US. Pat. Nos. 2,730,456 and 2,730,457. This material 16 could be as an example and without limitation, any well known breath freshener or a medicine, which is to be inhaled, e.g.; for aller- 8y p p Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, to use the inhalation device, either of the open ends can be inserted into the mouth. In fact,

if preferred, only one of the ends may be made open. Then the body 10 can be squeezed manually. This squeezing action will compress the folds of the absorbent paper 12 and several of the microcapsules 14 will be ruptured to release their material 16. By inhalation, this material 16 can be drawn into the mouth. Any excess material will be absorbed by the paper 12 so as to avoid undesired leakage after use.

In FIG. 2, the inhalation device has the microcapsules 14 on the inside or the side of the absorbent paper 14 defining the center opening [8. Otherwise, the FIG. 2 device is the same as that in FIG. I and operates in the same manner. Alternatively, the FIG. 2 device could have the center 18 of the absorbent paper I2, filled with the microcapsules 14. A passage for the material 16 when released would have to be provided and a suitable adhesive used to entrap the microcapsules 14.

The FIG. 3 embodiment has within the body 10, a series of pieces or cuttings 19 of absorbent paper with the microcapsules carried by the paper. The cuttings 19 are packed within the center of the body 10 alon its length. Within the center of the body 10 and surrounded y the cuttings 19 of absorbent paper, is a perforated tube 20, which can be made of a paper or plasticlike material. The perforations are noted at 21. Thus, when the body 10 is squeezed and the microcapsules l4 rupture, the material 16 will pass through the perforations of the tube 20 and then can be drawn into the mouth by inhaling.

From the foregoing, it will beappreciated that the inhalation device can be placed in ones mouth and its contents whether to freshen the breath or for medicinal purposes, quickly released for inhalation into the mouth. The gum and candy mint objections are overcome and also the transportation and use problem with the usual bulky inhalation devices is avoided.

Iclaim:

1. An inhalation device comprising an elongated deformable body open at one end, a compressible absorbent material within the body, the absorbent material defining an unobstructed passageway extending lengthwise within the body and to the open end, and a plurality of microscopic pressure rupturable capsules carried by the material, each capsule containing an inhalant to be inhaled and being rupturable by applying pressure to the elongated body so as to release the inhalant into the passageway for inhalation at the open end of the body.

2. An inhalation device as described in claim 1 wherein the absorbent material is folded to provide a pleated configuration within the body so as to define outer plural passages and a center unobstmcted passage extending substantially the length of the body and to the open end, and the capsules are located in said passages.

3. An inhalation device as described in claim 1 wherein the absorbent material is folded into a pleated configuration within the body so as to define outer unobstructed passageways and a center passage extending substantially the length of the body and to the open end and capsules are located in said center passage.

4 4. An inhalation device comprising an elongated cylindrical and deformable body open at one end, a plurality of pieces of absorbent material packed within the cylindrical body, the pieces of absorbent material having microscopic pressure rupturable capsules carried thereby, a perforated tube positioned within the body and extending along a length thereof to the open end, the capsules each containing a inhalant to be inhaled and being rupturable'by applying pressure to the elongated body so as to release the inhalant into the perforated tool for withdrawal by inhalation at the open end of the body. 

